Page 53 of House of Pain
Blaze’s chest burned with hatred at the way Auburn tipped her head back, cheeks flushed from the wine as she laughed at someone else’s joke.
She was the walking embodiment of everything Blaze hated, so weak and fragile she could shatter at any time.
There was nothing worse than a spineless woman.
A woman who fought with her teeth and nails, on the other hand…
Once the dinner was over, the whole crowd transferred to the official lounge in the Leveau penthouse, with the windows opening to a view of Avalon Hills at night. The massive glass door to the roof terrace was wide open, and those who were not bothered with chilly September nights were spilling over to the terrace.
The sky was already pitch dark, only a crimson moon hanging heavily, surrounded by a multitude of stars, all shining in many colors. Blaze leaned his elbows on the iron railing, enjoying the noise coming up from the streets below and the city lights stretching as far as your eyes could see.
He missed the city when he was at Venefica.
Blaze preferred his room in the brownstone back in Darly over his room here. But he missed being surrounded by the noise and the lights, the frantic energy always swirling in the air.
He turned, leaning on the railing, and found Val standing in a circle with a few older men and women, deep in conversation.
Val knew how to work the room. She knew how to come in and demand attention, even from those who hated her, and part of Blaze envied her for it.
Val might not have come from a privileged background, but that gave her the advantage amongst them.
She wasn’t plagued with the dread of not belonging.
Whenever Val didn’t fit in, she molded the world around her to fit her.
Blaze swirled the golden liquid in his glass as he narrowed his eyes on Val, so focused and lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice his father approaching.
“You’ve been drinking quite heavily tonight,” Galliermo noted, his black eyes plastered to the glass in Blaze’s hand.
Blaze shrugged, tipping the glass to take another massive sip.
“It’s been a long week, Father,” he said, swallowing hard.
His father’s eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you join me in my study.”
It wasn’t a question.
And Galliermo didn’t wait for Blaze’s answer as he turned and made his way through the crowd towards the corridor that led to his private study.
Blaze followed a few feet back. He finished his drink and managed to grab another from the tray, finishing it in a few gulps.
As Blaze was about to leave the room, he caught his mother’s gaze. Worry had settled in her soft features as she glanced between him and his father.
Auburn knew what was about to happen.
Yet, there was nothing she could do.
Woulddo.
So, the worry and the dread that graced her soft features only made Blaze’s blood boil with anger, and he didn’t miss an opportunity to sneer at her right before he left the lounge.
“Close the door,” his father said as Blaze entered the study after him, striding towards his large oak desk in the middle.
Galliermo didn’t sit in his chair though.
Once he reached the desk, he whirled, his black eyes drilling a hole in Blaze’s skull.
There was nothing but pure hatred rooted in that sinister glance, but Blaze had gotten used to it throughout the years.
